Connecting device for transmission cable in vehicle

ABSTRACT

A connecting device and a method for assembling a cable to a bracket are provided. The connecting device includes an outer body arranged circumferentially around the cable, the outer body being divided into a first portion with a substantially constant cross section and a second portion including a plurality of snap arms extending radially outwardly from a point of attachment with the first portion. The cable can be a transmission cable used in a vehicle, where the connecting device is configured to be received in an opening of the bracket, in order to anchor the cable to the vehicle body. The connecting device and cable can be received in any orientation relative to the bracket, where the snap arms are arranged in a continuous manner around the cable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a cable for a transmission in avehicle, and more particularly to a connecting device for anchoring thecable to the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle generally has an engine and a transmission connected to theengine for changing the speed of the vehicle. A driver can control thetransmission via a shift lever connected to the transmission by a cable.As used herein, the terms “cable” and “transmission cable” are usedinterchangeably. It is known to provide a connecting device to operablyconnect a transmission cable to a vehicle body. For example, aconnecting device can be used to connect a transmission cable to abracket or abutment of the vehicle. The connecting device should besuitably anchored with the bracket or abutment. However, existingtransmission cable connecting devices suffer from various drawbacks. Forexample, conventionally such connecting devices are mounted transverselyto the bracket or abutment member, which requires open space in front ofthe bracket for assembly. Such connecting devices are difficult orimpossible to mount with one hand, and instead require an assembler touse both hands. Examples of connecting devices mounted transversely to abracket or abutment member include U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,706 to Scheidlinget al., which discloses a quick fastening device having a groove forreceiving an abutment; and European Patent Publication 1 026 411, inwhich a sleeve is provided with a groove for interlocking with a plate.In both of these arrangements, the connecting device is spring-loaded toanchor with the bracket/abutment. Other examples of transversely-mountedconnecting devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,662 to Reasoner, whichdiscloses guideways defined by flanges for being received within a slotof a support structure; U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,265 to Suzuki et al., inwhich a tubular socket is engaged with a bracket, and a nut issubsequently rotated against the bracket; and European PatentPublication 1 312 838, in which a connecting device includes avibration-absorbing member. However, each of the arrangements disclosedin the above patent documents requires mounting of the connecting devicetransversely to a bracket or abutment member, instead of along an axisof the cable, and thus requires suitable open space to allow thetransverse assembly operation to take place. Moreover, theabove-described arrangements would be difficult or impossible for anassembler to manipulate with one hand, and instead require two hands forassembly. Further, the above arrangements are complicated and havegenerally tight tolerances, which could result in higher failure ratesthan desirable.

A further example of a conventional connecting device is depicted inPRIOR ART FIGS. 6A to 6C, in which a connecting device 2 connected witha cable 1 is rotated and pulled through an opening 5 in a bracket 4, sothat locking elements 3 of the connecting device 2 can lock against asurface of the bracket 4. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, after theconnecting device 2 has been rotated and pulled through the opening 5, aclip 6 is mounted on the inside of the locking elements 3. In otherwords, the clip 6 is mounted transversely to the cable 1. However, thisarrangement suffers from the drawback that the connecting device 2 mustbe secured by the clip 6, which requires an additional step duringassembly. Also, during assembly, the connecting device 2 must be rotatedinto position relative to the bracket 4, thus making assembly moredifficult.

It would be desirable to provide a connecting device for operablyconnecting a transmission cable to a bracket or abutment of a vehiclebody in which the connecting device is assembled axially along thecable, instead of being assembled transversely with respect to thebracket, such that assembly could be accomplished preferably with onehand, and without requiring extra space around the connecting device andbracket for assembly. In other words, it would be desirable to provide aconnecting device for easily mounting a transmission cable to a bracketof a vehicle body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connecting device and a method for assembling a cable to a bracket areprovided for operably connecting the cable to a bracket or otherstructure of a body, where the cable can be a transmission cable used inthe body of a vehicle. The connecting device includes an outer bodyarranged circumferentially around the cable, the outer body beingdivided into a first portion with a substantially constant cross sectionand a second portion including a plurality of snap arms extendingradially outwardly from a point of attachment with the first portion.

The snap arms can extend in a direction radially outwardly from thecable, where the diameter of the connecting device increases from aproximal end of each snap arm located at the point of attachment withthe first portion, to a distal end of each snap arm. In particular, thediameter of the second portion generally increases in the direction ofinsertion of the connecting device into the bracket. The snap arms areflexibly arranged with respect to the cable, and in particular, areconfigured to flex inwardly when loaded, for example, when pulled orotherwise moved through an opening. The snap arms each are formed withat least one groove arranged to interlock with the bracket.

The connecting device and cable can be received in any orientationrelative to the bracket, where the snap arms are arranged substantiallycontinuously around the cable.

A connecting device for assembling a cable to a bracket can include: anouter body having at least a first portion and a second portion, theouter body arranged circumferentially around the cable; a plurality ofsnap arms formed in the second portion, the snap arms extending radiallyoutwardly from the cable, the snap arms configured to flex inwardlytoward the cable; and at least one groove formed in the snap arms, thegroove arranged to interlock with at least one portion of the bracket.

A method for assembling a cable to a bracket can include steps of:providing a connecting device operably connected to the cable, theconnecting device including an outer body with at least first and secondportions, the outer body arranged circumferentially around the cable,and the second portion including a plurality of snap arms configured toflex inwardly toward the cable; moving the connecting device along anaxis of the cable such that the first portion is pulled through theopening, and the snap arms flex inwardly; and receiving at least aportion of the bracket in a groove as the snap arms move through theopening.

Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of thesubject invention, reference is made to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figureswherein like reference character denote corresponding parts throughoutthe several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connecting device operably connectedto a transmission cable according to a first preferred embodiment of thesubject invention;

FIG. 2A is an isolated perspective view of the connecting device shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the connecting device of FIG.2A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional end view of the connecting device of FIG.2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connecting device operably connectedto a transmission cable according to a second preferred embodiment ofthe subject invention, where the connecting device is shown in relationto a bracket prior to assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting device operably connectedto the transmission cable, as shown in FIG. 3, where the connectingdevice is assembled to the bracket;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connecting deviceassembled to the bracket, as shown in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6A to 6C are perspective views depicting the assembly of a priorart arrangement including a transmission cable, connecting device,bracket, and clip.

DEFINITIONS

The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to thefollowing definitions:

As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and“the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

As used herein, the term “transmission cable” refers to any cable, wire,or like structure configured to be attached to a vehicle body or anypart of a vehicle, and includes but is not limited to cables used inconjunction with a vehicle transmission. A transmission cable optionallymay be enclosed or surrounded by a cable cover, where the terms “cable”and “cable cover” are used interchangeably to refer to the cable.

As used herein, the term “connecting device” (or “connection device”)refers to any structure for connecting at least two parts or components,for example, a transmission cable and a bracket, where a suitableconnecting device may include portions that connect, either directly orindirectly, to one or more other parts or components.

As used herein, the term “vehicle” refers to any type of vehicle,including but not limited to motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans,minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossover-type vehicles, andother types of vehicles, and further may encompass non-motor vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A connecting device and a method for assembling a cable to a bracket areprovided, where the device and method can be used to operably connectthe cable to a bracket or other structure of a body. The connectingdevice includes an outer body arranged circumferentially around thecable, the outer body being divided into a first portion with asubstantially constant cross section and a second portion including aplurality of snap arms extending radially outwardly from a point ofattachment with the first portion. The snap arms preferably are evenlydistributed around the cable, such that the snap arms have approximatelythe same size. However, in alternate embodiments, it is possible for thesnap arms to have different sizes.

The snap arms preferably are arranged circumferentially continuouslyaround the cable, so that the connecting device can be presented in anyorientation relative to the bracket. Although there may be small gapsbetween the snap arms, the surface of the snap arms preferably issubstantially consistent regardless of the orientation or rotation ofthe snap arms relative to an axis of the cable. In other words, theconnecting device can be advanced in substantially any orientationrelative to the bracket.

The snap arms generally extend in a direction radially outwardly fromthe cable, where an outer surface of each snap arm preferably iswedge-shaped, and the diameter of the connecting device increases from aproximal end of each snap arm located at the point of attachment withthe first portion, to a distal end of each snap arm. In particular, thediameter of the second portion generally increases in the direction ofinsertion of the connecting device into the bracket. The snap arms areflexibly arranged with respect to the cable, and in particular, areconfigured to flex inwardly when loaded, for example, when pulled orotherwise moved through an opening. The snap arms each are formed withat least one groove arranged to interlock with a wall of the opening inthe bracket.

The connecting device can be arranged with respect to a transmissioncable of a vehicle, such that after assembly, the connecting devicebecomes anchored to a bracket or other structure of the vehicle body. Inparticular, the connecting device is assembled to the bracket by movingthe cable with the connecting device through an opening in the bracket.The opening of the bracket preferably is smaller than a diameter of thesnap arms when unloaded but larger than a diameter of the first portionof the outer body of the connecting device, thus allowing free movementof the first portion through the opening of the bracket, but restrictingmovement of the second portion incorporating the snap arms. When thesecond portion of the outer body of the connecting device is advancedthrough the opening in the bracket, the snap arms will flex inwardlytoward the cable until the bracket snaps into the grooves, therebyinterlocking the bracket with the connecting device.

A connecting device 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of thesubject invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C. As shown in FIG. 1,the connecting device 10 is arranged circumferentially around a cable20, where the cable 20 optionally may include a cable cover. As usedherein, the term “cable” is not limited to a transmission cable itself,but also refers to a cable cover that optionally may be provided toenclose or surround the cable. For example, in FIG. 1 and elsewhere inthe drawings, the cable 20 can be a cable itself and/or a cable coveredby a cable cover.

In particular, the connecting device 10 is attached to a swiveling tube22 on one end of the connecting device 10, where the swiveling tube 22is preferably fitted over the cable 20. An opposite end (i.e., the otherend) of the connecting device 10 is configured to receive a shrink pipe24. Details of interconnections between the connecting device 10 and theswiveling tube 22, and between the connecting device 10 and the shrinkpipe 24 are shown in FIG. 5. Further, the connecting device 10preferably is formed internally with a joint, such as an integrated balljoint (see, e.g., FIG. 5), for operably connecting the connecting device10 with the swiveling tube 22, and a locking cap (see, e.g., FIG. 5) foroperably connecting the connecting device 10 with the shrink pipe 24.

Preferably the connecting device 10 is fixed relative to the cable 20,such that the connecting device 10 substantially does not move axiallywith respect to the cable 20 during assembly of the connecting device 10with a bracket.

The connecting device 10 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2A-2C. Theconnecting device 10 includes an outer body 30 divided into at least afirst portion 32 and a second portion 34. The first portion 32 of theouter body 30 preferably has a substantially constant diameter, with auniform cross-section of “first diameter” d₁. The second portion 34 ofthe outer body 30 includes a plurality of snap arms 40 that extendradially outwardly from a point of attachment 42 formed at a junctionbetween the first and second portions 32, 34. The snap arms 40 areseparated from each other by cut-out portions, which can be pre-formed,for example, by making one or more cuts axially along the second portion34.

The snap arms 40 are arranged to flex inwardly when subjected to a forceor load, where the second portion 34 has a “second diameter” d₂ in theregion depicted in FIG. 2B, that is, just before the groove 36. Thesecond diameter d₂ preferably is greater than the first diameter d₁ inthe unloaded state of FIGS. 2A-2C. The snap arms 40 preferably areflexibly arranged with respect to the cable 20, and can be compressed orcollapsed inwardly toward the cable 20 when subjected to sufficientloads. The cable 20 is arranged circumferentially inside the connectingdevice 10, and thus the cable is enclosed by the first and secondportions 32, 34 of the outer body 30.

Each snap arm 40 has a proximal end defined by its connection with thefirst portion 32 at the point of attachment 42, and a diameter thatpreferably increases gradually toward a distal end of the snap arm 40,where at least one groove 36 is formed near the distal end of the snaparm 40. Preferably, the groove 36 of each snap arm 40 is aligned, suchthat each groove 36 is configured to receive at least a portion of abracket. A rim 38 is provided at the distal end to engage with thebracket.

A connecting device 110 according to a second preferred embodiment ofthe subject invention is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, along with a methodfor assembling a cable with a bracket. The connecting device 110 issimilar in structure and function to the connecting device 10 depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C, and includes similar components. In the secondpreferred embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, elements that are similar tocorresponding elements in the first preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and2A-2C have like reference numerals, where any differences are recognizedby adding a “1” before the reference numeral, such as the connectingdevice 110 in FIGS. 3 and 4 as compared to the connecting device 10 inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cable 20 can be a transmission cable ina vehicle, and preferably is operably connected to the connecting device110, for example, via the shrink pipe 24. In FIGS. 3 and 4, theconnecting device 110 is fixed to the cable 20 via the shrink pipe 24,such that there is substantially no axial movement of the connectingdevice 10 with respect to the cable 20. Details of interconnectionsbetween the swiveling tube 22 and the connecting device 110, and betweenthe shrink pipe 24 and the connecting device 110 are depicted in FIG. 5.

As described with respect to the first preferred embodiment, the cable20 is configured to be received through the swiveling tube 22. As shownin FIG. 5, the swiveling tube 22 is operably connected to one end of theconnecting device 110 by an integrated ball joint 60, where the balljoint 60 permits at least a swiveling movement of the swiveling tube 22relative to the connecting device 110. Alternatively, the integratedball joint 60 could be replaced by any other suitable type of joint thatpermits interconnection of the swiveling tube 22 and the connectingdevice 110.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shrink tube 24 is operably connected to theother end (another end) of the connecting device 110 by a locking cap62. For example, the locking cap 62 may interact with a correspondingportion of the shrink tube 24 to prevent disengagement of the shrinktube 24 relative to the end of the connecting device 110. As describedabove, the cable 20 preferably is fixedly attached to the shrink tube24, such that when the shrink tube 24 is received in the connectingdevice 110, the cable 20 is fixed relative to the connecting device 110.As shown in FIG. 5, the shrink tube 24 is retained on the connectingdevice 110 by the locking cap 62. The connecting device 110 optionallycan be formed with at least one vibration damping pad 64 in order todampen vibrations from the gear box.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cable 20 is aligned with anopening 52 of a bracket 50. The opening 52 preferably is larger than adiameter of the cable 20, so that alignment of the cable 20 axiallythrough the opening 52 is accomplished easily. The bracket 50 preferablyis fixed to the vehicle body. The connecting device 110 can be advancedaxially along with the cable 20, such that the first portion 132 of theconnecting device 110 moves freely through the opening 52, where thefirst diameter d₁ of the first portion 132 is smaller than a diameter ofthe opening 52. Advancement of the connecting device 110 and cable 20can be performed manually, for example, by pulling or otherwise movingthese components, or can be performed automatically.

As the second portion 134 of the connecting device 110 is moved throughthe opening 52, outer surfaces of the snap arms 140 contact an innerwall 54 of the opening 52, at least because the second diameter d₂ ofthe snap arms 140 is greater than the diameter of the opening 52. Thus,the snap arms 140 are subjected to a load, and flex inwardly toward thecable 20 as a result of the load. As shown in FIG. 4, as the connectingdevice 110 is advanced through the bracket 50, the inner wall 54 of theopening 52 will engage the at least one groove 136 provided in the snaparms 140. In other words, as the snap arms 140 advance relative to theopening 52 of the bracket 50, the inner wall 54 will tend to snap inplace in the groove 136. Thus, the connecting device 110 and the cable20 will become interlocked when the inner wall 54 of the opening 52 isreceived in the groove 136.

As described above, the connecting device 110 fixed to the cable 20 canbe inserted easily into the opening 52 of the bracket 50 simply bypulling the connecting device and cable through the opening until theinner wall 54 of the opening 52 becomes engaged with the groove 136.This operation can be performed manually with one hand, as compared toprior art assembly techniques in which a connecting device is arrangedtransversely to a bracket, and two hands are required for assembly.Moreover, because the entire operation is performed along an axialdirection of the cable, it is not necessary to provide additional spacein a direction transverse to the cable.

Further, the snap arms 140 preferably are arranged substantiallycontinuously in a circumferential direction around the cable 20 fixed tothe connecting device 110, and as a result, the connecting device 110can be advanced in any orientation to the bracket 50. In other words,the snap arms 140 do not need to face in any particular direction inorder to allow the connecting device 110 to become interlocked with thebracket 50. Preferably the connecting device 110 fixed to the cable 20can be rotated axially along an axis of the cable 20, but according tothe subject invention, the connecting device 110 can form a suitableconnection with the bracket 50 without requiring the snap arms 140 to beoriented or rotated in any particular direction with respect to theopening 52 of the bracket 50.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The entire contents of all patents, published patent applications andother references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated hereinin their entireties by reference.

1. A connecting device for assembling a cable to a bracket, comprising:an outer body having at least a first portion and a second portion, theouter body arranged circumferentially around the cable; a plurality ofsnap arms formed in the second portion, the snap arms extending radiallyoutwardly from the cable, the snap arms configured to flex inwardlytoward the cable; and at least one groove formed in the snap arms, thegroove arranged to interlock with at least one portion of the bracket.2. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein during assembly with thebracket, the connecting device is moved through an opening having a sizegreater than a diameter of the first portion and smaller than a diameterof the second portion, such that the snap arms flex inwardly duringmovement of the connecting device through the opening.
 3. The connectingdevice of claim 2, wherein the at least one portion of the bracket isreceived in the groove as the connecting device is moved through theopening.
 4. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofsnap arms are arranged substantially continuously circumferentiallyaround the cable.
 5. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of snap arms are approximately the same size.
 6. Theconnecting device of claim 1, wherein the connecting device is operablyconnected to the cable.
 7. The connecting device of claim 6, wherein theconnecting device is connected to at least a shrink pipe that enclosesthe cable.
 8. The connecting device of claim 7, wherein the shrink pipeis connected to the connecting device by an end cap.
 9. The connectingdevice of claim 6, wherein the connecting device is connected to atleast a swiveling tube that encloses the cable.
 10. The connectingdevice of claim 6, wherein the connecting device is fixed relative tothe cable.
 11. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the groove isconfigured to receive an inner wall of the bracket to interlock theconnecting device and the bracket.
 12. A motor vehicle transmissioncomprising the connecting device of claim
 1. 13. A motor vehiclecomprising the connecting device of claim
 1. 14. A transmission assemblyfor a vehicle, comprising: a connecting device operably connected to acable, the connecting device including an outer body with at least firstand second portions, the outer body arranged circumferentially aroundthe cable; a plurality of snap arms formed in the second portion, thesnap arms extending radially outwardly from the cable, the snap armsconfigured to flex inwardly toward the cable; and at least one grooveformed in the snap arms, the groove arranged to interlock with a bracketof the transmission assembly.
 15. The transmission assembly of claim 14,wherein the bracket is formed with an opening defined by an inner wall.16. The transmission assembly of claim 15, wherein the connecting deviceis assembled with the bracket by moving the connecting device along anaxis of the cable such that the first portion of the outer body movesthrough the opening, and the second portion of the outer body engagesthe inner wall and flexes inwardly.
 17. The transmission assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the inner wall of the bracket is received in thegroove as the second portion of the outer body is moved through theopening.
 18. The transmission assembly of claim 14, wherein theplurality of snap arms are arranged substantially continuouslycircumferentially around the cable.
 19. A method for assembling a cableto a bracket, comprising the steps of: providing a connecting deviceoperably connected to the cable, the connecting device including anouter body with at least first and second portions, the outer bodyarranged circumferentially around the cable, and the second portionincluding a plurality of snap arms configured to flex inwardly towardthe cable; moving the connecting device along an axis of the cable suchthat the first portion is pulled through the opening, and the snap armsflex inwardly; and receiving at least a portion of the bracket in agroove as the snap arms move through the opening.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the connecting device is fixed relative to the cable.21. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of snap arms arearranged substantially continuously circumferentially around the cable.22. A connecting device for assembling a cable to a bracket, comprising:an outer body having at least a first portion and a second portion, theouter body arranged circumferentially around the cable, wherein thefirst portion has a substantially constant outer diameter; a pluralityof snap arms formed in the second portion, the snap arms extendingradially outwardly from the cable, the snap arms configured to flexinwardly toward the cable, and having an outer diameter that increasesin a direction away from the first portion; and at least one grooveformed in the snap arms, the groove arranged to interlock with at leastone portion of the bracket.
 23. The connecting device of claim 22,wherein during assembly with the bracket, the connecting device is movedthrough an opening having a size greater than a diameter of the firstportion and smaller than the outer diameter of the second portion, suchthat the snap arms flex inwardly during movement of the connectingdevice through the opening.
 24. The connecting device of claim 23,wherein the at least one portion of the bracket is received in thegroove as the connecting device is moved through the opening.
 25. Theconnecting device of claim 22, wherein the plurality of snap arms arearranged substantially continuously circumferentially around the cable.